Moving House!

 Hello, Dear Friends!

Not only have we moved cities and states but I'm moving this blog from Blogger to WP.  This site will act as an archive while the new platform should have ported over all of the old posts dating back to 2007!

Talk about an OG Blogger!

I hope you'll come back to visiting the site at ShoeDaydreams.com as well as keep up on Instagram!

Luv ya!

Coming back for a call out - Imitation = Flattery? Atlantic-Pacific x Halogen edition

Eons ago (10 years!) in blog world, I called out an early influencer's collaboration "collection" as being a pieced together mishmash of design elements lifted from well-known and established brands' pieces.  And over the years I've tried to point out knock-offs in my "Imitation = Flattery?" series.

Sadly, this hasn't stopped even a decade on.

The latest, pretty egregious, set of products got me riled up enough to post.

I'm a big fan of Blair Eadie's style. I have no idea where she keeps it all and I'm sure the overwhelming majority is gifted to her but, I still like a lot of the same things she likes.   I just wouldn't have the nerve to take a bunch of high end designer pieces from my closet and then work with a company to dumb them down and mass produce them.

If you can tell me these aren't nearly straight lifts, I'd be astonished.

Blair has said she loves a printed furry coat, especially from Shrimps, which is know for these bold styles -

Here's the coat from the A-P x Halogen collection.

Taking shoe inspiration from others really sets me off. Here's Blair wearing Prada patent, stacked-platform oxfords a while back and a close up of a pair from that same collection.

And then there's the styles from her "designs"...

I might have become the most mad about the triple-bow tops and dresses because she's making so much of them on her site.  Well, here's the ASOS dress (top) the inspiration it came from.  I bought this dress too. A bit miffed to see it knocked-off as if the A-P versions (bottom) are totally new.

And last, but certainly not the least example, is the Prince of Wales plaid blazer with faux fur cuffs.   The collection version is cute with the pink for sure...

But I wonder how Fendi feels about being ripped off...

Pretty clear where the inspo came from, huh???

Her "collection" is filled with prints and tiered tulle skirts - very a la the pieces she wears from Red Valentino and Viktor and Rolf.  I  think its all very cute but I don't think intellectual property theft is a label I'd want to wear.

Atlantic-Pacific images sourced from:

https://the-atlantic-pacific.com/2016/07/13/colors-of-west-village/

 https://the-atlantic-pacific.com/2019/01/30/faux-fur-colored-suits/

https://the-atlantic-pacific.com/2017/08/11/feeling-fall-plaid-paris/

https://the-atlantic-pacific.com/2017/10/15/fendi-resort-veuve-clicquot-los-angeles/

11 Years Ago

I started this blog 11 years ago. 

Mainly to talk fashion and shoe design influences without boring the people around me.  

I don't post here nearly enough due to work and time... 

but I'm still thinking about shoes, even when I should be doing other things. 

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter and want to chat shoes, I'd love that!

Lock Down Your Fabric - Blahnik, Rousseau, Jcrew and Anthropologie

I haven't written on this blog in ages but I had to make this post because I was so appalled and amused by this fabric situation.

Designers! This is why you lock down exclusivity for your materials!

To start with - these are all current season and currently available for purchase shoes.

First up are the Manolo Blahnik BB's in this great embroidered floral fabric. $765 at Saks.

But I also found these JCrew Ankle-wrap slingback heels in the same fabric. $228

And then I found two shoes from Jerome Rousseau - Abelline Sandals for $595 and Booties in a black version of the floral for $895.

I also found the black version in an offering from Anthropologie - the Ouigal Pearl Block heels $228

Obviously, it's a popular fabric, but seeing it all over really dilutes the special-ness of it. It makes you remember the fact that these are produced versus crafted.  And that's not usually what I want in a shoe.

Making More with Miu Miu - Miu Miu Fall 2015 RTW Buckle Pumps

I have long been a fan of Miu Miu, especially the shoes that get sent down the runway each season, probably to my detriment.

But Miuccia is such an amazing designer and her eye for detail and continuity is so strong and really just amazing, that it's difficult for me to pass up.

The Fall 2015 RTW Collection was no exception.

This may be my favorite quote about a runway show in recent memory -
"As is often the case in Pradaland, there is always a drop of poison with the sugar-candy consumer desirability of this clothing—and that is what makes it all the more addictive, of course."

Hmmm... maybe that's my new aesthetic guiding principle right there. 

But the designs took the mid-century look and exploded it out with color and excess...

...and Glitter!!!!

Miu Miu does the best glitter. I'm kicking myself that I didn't get one of these two pairs.

 But I did end up with a piece that brings the excess of the runway down into a beautiful pump that I can't stop wearing and the embraces the pink that is very of the moment.

The buckles on the runway were large and colorful and paired with fuzzy heels (which I actually do like but didn't fee quite me).

This pair, which I'm adoring more each day, are simpler.

I'm wearing them with Erin Fetherston dresses and JCrew striped Tippi sweaters paired with cropped jeans. They've been summer but they're going to stay on through Fall again and into Spring.

I can't wait.

Doing Denim DIYs - Crop Step and Crop Fray

I've never been a big fan of pants in general or jeans specifically. I always found them uncomfortable and would wear denim skirts (still do) to get my denim fix.

That's kind of funny because I live in, essentially, the home of denim, where a 100 year old partnership still lives on to produce American denim and some of the best selvedge around.

But lately I've been embracing pants more - patterned especially - and finding I also really love the denim jean/heel contrast.  But while I like wearing it more, I absolutely am not into spending a lot for it.  Maybe it's my long-standing anathema or just the fact that I'm not tall and lanky, but I just can't bring myself to spend a lot, even if I like it.

Sure maybe there are some magical technologies built into the fabric weave or the structure of the cut, but I probably won't ever find out. My range generally runs from JCrew at the top end to mostly Old Navy.  Maybe I'll be won over some day by some vintage Japanese selvedge but I can't really ever picture me buying $1000+ jeans.

However, I was nearly won over to the $200 camp by a pair of Mother Denim Crop Step Fray Jeans, especially when paired so perfectly by Emma Roberts.

I really like this look. Lots of ankle. A classy heel. It's polished and casual and the lack of a full hem keeps it from looking too "done"

But then I thought, I can do that!  I mean, sure the main jeans need to be good too but I've been recently wearing a pair of straight legged jeans that I'd cropped and frayed myself, why not give this a shot too.

So, I took advantage of the Old Navy Labor Day sale to stock up on a bunch of jeans I needed - from a pair for wearing outside with the animals, to new grey and mid-wash blue skinnies, to the pair to give the crop step fray action.

And I'm happy with the results, especially for $20 (50% off sale!)

I'll have to get a better shot but I like how the cropped but still longer back really frames up the shoes in the front.

And at the end of the day, it really is all about showing off the shoes!

Vintage All Over Again

It always cracks me up when I see a very vintage design crop in in a modern story or store.  Not even an "inspired by" design but one totally reproduced from a vintage piece they must have gotten a hold of.

For example, I was browsing a Who What Wear article on "9 Style Secrets That Bloggers Know (and You Don't)" and saw this purse featured from Gaia.

Oh wait!

 I know that purse... because I have it!

And mine was not $98. It was like $20 and is an actual vintage piece bought from an vintage accessories dealer at a show in 2011.

Maybe I'm a blogger in the know.

At least I know to buy the original vintage piece for a much better price and quality than a reproduction!